As we dive headlong into 2025 with our resolutions and self-promises falling by the wayside; it dawned on me not for the first time, what a fabulous place Bishopsteignton is! I am of course totally biased having been dragged up in the village by a family of badgers and I am perhaps, as a consequence, privileged to have been asked to write some words regarding Bishopsteignton Heritage (BH). As a Bishop boy (OK, a village elder) I joined ‘The Heritage’ committee last year and remain incredulous at the commitment of said committee and indeed to ‘the Hub’ volunteers.
I must also mention James Hooper; I’m not sure of his official title, but I do know that James’ work for BH is undaunting despite having only lived in the village a mere 38 years!
Looking back at 2024
Starting on a sad note, former trustee and treasure Nigel Edwards passed away in 2024. His hard work was truly appreciated within BH.
Talks
During April the RSPB presented ‘Cirl Buntings in South Devon-rare nature on your doorstep’ (a great presentation) and in October, Colin Back and myself ventured into Bishopsteignton House with our lovely assistant and BH volunteer, Mel Deeks. This presentation provided us with a captive audience of residents to conduct a talk entitled ‘a walk through the village’ supplemented with screen shots of images from the BH online catalogue.
This, proved to be our warmup for ‘an evening with Colin and Dave’ in the Community Centre, where we took a trip down memory lane, incriminating and indicting many village characters supported by many photos.
It truly was a giggle which sold out. Miraculously we have been asked back to present another ‘evening with’ on March 12 th 2025. So, get your tickets early!
Exhibitions
In addition to the Heritage Hub ‘s normal opening hours, additional exhibitions included a 1940s D-Day, 80th anniversary, in June in collaboration with ‘Knit&tinK’. Some of this exhibition was subsequently displayed in the Old Commercial pub – another supporting business of BH.
‘Knit&tinK’ D-Day Exhibition
Bishopsteignton Players celebrated their 65th Anniversary in September and Colin Back (who frankly doesn’t look old enough!) wore two hats during the celebration, one as a founding member of the Players and one as a BH volunteer.
It was great to see Rob Coram and Jill Lewis attending, two directors of Bishop Players from the late 70’s /early 80’s.
As in previous years BH added new material to the comprehensive November Remembrance Display. All of these exhibitions utilized the accessible Hawkins room in the Community Centre.
Contributions to the Community
BH provides training and education in research, digitisation, web development, video creation etc. Its website provides articles on a wide range of topics and over 5000 images and 3000 items have been added to its online catalogue. These images of all aspects of village life provide valuable memories (even if it’s some idiot escaping out of a fan light window from the Old Commercial!). The younger community also get involved; for example, students Ed Ford and Emily Harley producing informative videos regarding BH.
BH continues to provide a safe space to share stories and reminiscences (including a cup of tea and one of Colin’s chocolate biscuits) and have made contributions totaling almost £4000 through fund raising and other activities to organisations such as the Bishopsteignton Scouts, Playgroup, Memory Café and RSPB. In addition, the Molly Coombe photo competition has just taken place and winners with be announced soon. Keep an eye out for the presentation date!
Bishopsteignton Heritage Hub in the Community Centre
Arts Council Museum Accreditation
A considerable amount of work with a significant contribution by Dawn Rogers has enabled BH to be accepted as ‘working towards’ Arts Council Museum Accreditation. Once achieved this will signify that BH are recognized as having the same standards and practices as the top museums in the country.
The People – Hub Team and Trustees
Increasing numbers of visitors, both regular and occasional ranging geographically from New Zealand/Australia to Newton Abbot, are providing the Hub Volunteers with plenty of work.
The BH Trustees faces have changed in 2024 with Chairman John Parkes stepping down to concentrate on his music career after a notable amount of hard work. John Reynolds is currently Chairman with Steve Roberts taking over as treasurer. Also, Sally White and Lewis Myers have joined the team bringing an array of skills and experience.
Looking forward to 2025
The January snow and ice will give way to the Spring and with it we at BH look forward to several exciting projects. (Did I really write that?) Namely, more online entries, exhibitions, interviews and videos; the Molly Coombe annual talk, competitions and last and definitely least … Colin and Dave part two!
A serious moment …. Everyone is more than welcome to become part of BH. Newcomers to the village will be part of the heritage of Bishopsteignton. Everyone is welcome.
Did you know?
In February 1860, Edward Cowen appeared at court before Sir W H Tonkin, charged by PC Ridd with ‘sleeping in an outhouse in the Parish of Bishopsteignton and kindling a fire therein’. ….. an offence for which he is committed to prison for three weeks.
A little harsh one may think…. probably a sentence more suited to ‘inconsiderate parking at the bottom of West Street’… Just saying!
Dave Robbins and the Hub Team.
Visit us at the Community Centre 11 – 4 Fridays, 10 – 12 Saturdays, or contact us at [email protected].